HC Deb 21 June 1883 vol 280 cc1147-9
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Seeing the Attorney General in his place, I wish to ask him, Whether it is the fact, as generally rumoured in the House, that he has come to the deplorable decision of abandoning the Criminal Code (Indictable Offences Procedure) Bill, in the Grand Committee on Law; and, if that is so, whether he recollects the answer he gave, I think, on Monday last, in which he announced his intention of vigorously persevering with the measure, and how he proposes to reconcile his present action with his recent answer?

MR. BUCHANAN

Before the hon. and learned Gentleman answers, I should like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the Question of the noble Lord is in Order, when the proceedings of a Committee on a certain Bill before them to which it has reference are not reported to the House?

MR. SPEAKER

The Committee not having reported to the House, undoubtedly the Question is not strictly in Order; but if the hon. and learned Gentleman thinks proper to answer the noble Lord, I should not feel bound to prevent him.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

On a point of Order I wish to know whether it is not in the power of any Member to ask the Government their intentions with regard to a Bill of which they have charge, and which is now before the House?

MR. SPEAKER

The noble Lord asks the hon. and learned Gentleman a specific Question, involving the action of the Attorney General as a Member of that Committee.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Mr. Speaker, I would ask you, Sir—["Order, order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

What I meant to say was that if the noble Lord asked the Question of the Attorney General, as a Member of the Committee, it would not be in Order.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

No. I asked him as a Member of the Government.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Has it not been distinctly laid down that the Standing Committees take the place of Committees of the Whole House? Under these circumstances, are they not in a different category from ordinary Select Committees, and are we not entitled to ask Ministers what are their intentions as to the future stages of a Bill?

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

I wish to ask what difference there is between the present Question and the Question which I put on Monday on the same subject?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)

As you have said, Sir, that there is no objection to the Question of the noble Lord being answered, I have not the slightest objection to answer it. I did think it right this afternoon to give Notice that I would submit to the Committee, at its next meeting on Tuesday next, a Resolution to the effect that the Committee should not proceed with the further consideration of the Criminal Code (Indictable Offences Procedure) Bill. I have been led to take that course with the greatest possible regret; but circumstances have been placed before me—notably the circumstances of to-day, when we were prevented from forming a Committee by the active exertions of one of its Members—which caused me to think that it would be hopeless to endeavour to proceed with the Bill. I did not state on Monday that I would exert myself vigorously to go on with the Bill; but I did say that I would not abandon all hope until it became quite clear that it was not possible to proceed with the Bill. We arrived at that stage to-day, and therefore I felt compelled to take the course I have done.

MR. GIBSON

It would be a great convenience if the Attorney General would state to the House whether the Resolution he will submit to the Committee on Tuesday next will be of the simple character he has just stated, or will contain reasons which may be contentious for the step he has taken?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)

I think this Question is going a little beyond what a Question should be. But I may state that the Motion I shall submit to the Committee I will endeavour to make very brief and simple, so as to avoid all matters of a controversial character.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

May I ask whether the reasons the Attorney General will submit to the Committee will contain the name of the Member he has just been alluding to?

MR. RAIKES

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the great and signal success of the principle of delegation and devolution, ho proposes to refer any more Bills to this Committee during the present Session? [Laughter.]

MR. GLADSTONE

Owing to the laughter of the noble Lord (Lord Randolph Churchill) and those near him, I was unable myself to hear the Question. I do not see that the announcement just made by my hon. and learned Friend imposes on the Government, or upon the House, the duty of arriving at any immediate decision with regard to the possibility of referring any other measures to this Committee. I agree that that question should be considered as soon as it conveniently call.